THEORY OF PRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY 171

the improved agencies of production, it is rightly entitled to
share in the increased wealth created. While it is undoubtedly
true that the most brilliantly conceived mechanical aid to production
 is worthless without human direction, it is still open
to question whether this makes a case for labor’s demand.
That fatigue induced by the monotony of work has been increased
 by the further mechanization of industry, which has
been an important feature of improved processes, is undoubtedly
 possible. On the other hand, physical exertion in
many cases has been lightened through the greater application
 of power, and the determination of relative nervous
strain under former conditions, as compared with the present,
is a question requiring further investigation by the physiologist
 or psychologist before final judgment is possible. In any
case it is clear that the increase in output per worker in recent
 years is due altogether to the greater use of machinery
and power and to better management, that is, to the use of
more capital and managerial intelligence, and not to any
greater effort or more efficient application on the part of
labor itself. Production efficiencies have for the most part
been evolved through careful research and ‘experimentation
on the part of highly skilled engineering staffs, and this work
has been financed by the employer without any assurance that
it would bring him a return. It seems reasonable, therefore,
that when this investment has turned out profitably the credit
and the profits which result should accrue to the employer and
to the investors who supplied the capital for the experiment,
and who would not have been likely to undertake it except
for the prospect of profit.

HENRY H. WILLIAMS, MANUFACTURER, PHILADELPHIA!
I think that there would be very little dissent to the idea
that the enormously increased production made possible by
power and machines should be distributed broadly and widely
throughout our population. The rising tide of education and
enlightenment will bring disaster if any serious attempt is
1 Industrial Management, June, 1927, pp. 324-326. Letter and article by
Henry H. Williams. “High Wages and gp. Sotodl